Initial photophysical characterization of the proteorhodopsin optical proton sensor (PROPS)

Fluorescence is not frequently used as a tool for investigating the photocycles of rhodopsins, largely because of the low quantum yield of the retinal chromophore. However, a new class of genetically encoded voltage sensors is based upon rhodopsins and their fluorescence. The first such sensor reported in the literature was the proteorhodopsin optical proton sensor (PROPS), which is capable of indicating membrane voltage changes in bacteria by means of changes in fluorescence. However, the properties of this fluorescence, such as its lifetime decay components and its origin in the protein photocycle, remain unknown. This paper reports steady-state and nanosecond time-resolved emission of this protein expressed in two strains of Escherichia coli, before and after membrane depolarization. The voltage-dependence of a particularly long lifetime component is established. Additional work to improve quantum yields and improve the general utility of PROPS is suggested

TRADE-MARKS - REGISTRATION - LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION

The applicant sought registration of the trade-mark Powermax for gasoline. The application was opposed on the ground of prior use and registration of Powerine for the same product. The register already contained the marks Powerfuel, Powerline, Powerite, Powero, Powerflash, and Powerized for gasoline. Held, the application was properly denied. The mark must be considered as a whole, and the fact that the registered mark, or a portion of it, is descriptive in character does not justify disregarding the similarity in passing on the right to register. The showing of other confusing marks on the register does not help this applicant. Skelly Oil Co. v. Powerine Co., (Cust. & Pat. App. 1936) 86 F. (2d) 752

Alien Registration- Nadeau, Edith L. (Presque Isle, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/33712/thumbnail.jp

Student Persistence and Factors which Affect Retention in Online Courses at a Small Rural College

With declining enrollment and retention issues among Maine public universities it would be beneficial to try and determine what factors are contributing to online student retention and student persistence to ensure we are meeting the needs of online students which may help lead to better attrition rates, student success, and degree completion. This mixed-methods study sought to determine the various factors which may have contributed to student persistence and retention in online courses and programs at the University of Maine Fort Kent. The research correlated student experiences and perceptions with institutional efforts in order to address any gaps in services which may improve the educational experience and student success for online learners, in turn, helping to improve retention. Analysis of the data revealed that there are identifiable factors within the institution’s control that may help increase retention rates and that using available student information may help to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful in meeting their educational goals

A Computational Method for the Rate Estimation of Evolutionary Transpositions

Genome rearrangements are evolutionary events that shuffle genomic architectures. Most frequent genome rearrangements are reversals, translocations, fusions, and fissions. While there are some more complex genome rearrangements such as transpositions, they are rarely observed and believed to constitute only a small fraction of genome rearrangements happening in the course of evolution. The analysis of transpositions is further obfuscated by intractability of the underlying computational problems. We propose a computational method for estimating the rate of transpositions in evolutionary scenarios between genomes. We applied our method to a set of mammalian genomes and estimated the transpositions rate in mammalian evolution to be around 0.26.Comment: Proceedings of the 3rd International Work-Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering (IWBBIO), 2015. (to appear